Acetylene generator



`lan., 23, 1940.

M* P. DE MOTTE ET AL ACETYLENE GENERATOR Filed April 24, 1937 3Sheets-511961I 1 A TTORNEYS.

M. P. DE MOTTE El' AL ACETYLENE GENERATOR 'Filed April 24. 1937ATTORNEYS.

Jal 23, 1940- M. P. DE MOTTE Er A1. 2,188,277

ACETYLENE GENERATOR Filed April 24, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Il w PatentedJan. l23, 1940 UNITED STATES AGETYLENE Maurice P. De Motte,

GENERATOR Clarence H. Baker, ,and

Ralph C. Pierson, Indianapolis, Ind., assignors, by mesne assignments,to Oxweld Acetylene Company, a corporati on `of West Virginia.

y Application April 24, 1937, .Serial No. 138,752

13 ClamS.

This invention relates to acetylene generators of the carbide-to-watertype,and particularly to the feed-valve operating mechanism of suchgenerators, and Lto interference .mechanism .adapted to insure .aparticular sequence of steps in recharging .thesama When 4granularcalcium Acarbide is fed from a hopper into the water vtank of anacetylenexgenerator, various methods of feeding are employed,

1o including pressure-.operated feed-valve closing mechanism, theAfunctioning of which depends upon the pressure of acetylene within thegenerator. When it is desired to begin Agenerating acetylene within thistype of generator, .the feed 15 valve often is opened too wide, whichallows .a surplus of calcium carbide to be fed tothe water within thegenerator, thus causing the initial generation of too much acetylene.after the feed valve has been closed .by the .pressure-operatedmechanism. This over-generation .of yacetylene increases the pressurewithin the generator to a point where the pressure-relief valve blowson, thus causing an unwarranted 'waste of acetylene gas.

`Transporation of a portable acetylene ygenerator in the field vusuallyrequires emptying the same, or maintaining sumcient pressure within thegenerator to prevent jarring open the feed-valve. Considerable time islost in emptying and recharging such generators each time it is desiredto move them, audit is impractical to maintain suiicient pressure withinthe generator to prevent the feed valve yopening during transportation.Furthermore, water in the generator often splashes 4onto the carbidefeed mechanism if the generator is'moved in the eld without emptying thesame.

The principal objects of 'this invention are to overcome these and otherobjectionable features 40 'of'prior acetylene generators; and to provideautomatic pressure-operated apparatus .for controlling `the feed-valveof an acetylenegenerator in combination with means for limiting theopening of the feed-valve duringkthe initial stage of acetylenegeneration; to provide means for locking the feed-valve in closedposition during periods of shut-down, and when the generatoris beingmoved betweenjobs in the field; to, provide baille 5o means within thegenerator for `preventing Water therein `from splashing onto thefeed-valve and its operating mechanism; to provide simple mechanism forinsuring a definite sequence of steps during yrecharging of thegenerator; and gener- 55 ally .to provide a compactgenerator having mostof its parts enclosed and less` apt to be damaged but easily accessiblefor inspection or repair.

The above` and other objects and the novel features will become apparentfrom the following specification and the accompanying drawings, in 5which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, ,partly broken away, of an acetylenegenerator embodying the principles `of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the l0 generatorshown inFig. 1, showing the relation of the various operating elements withinthe dome of the generator;

Fig. 3 is a perspective top View of a portion of the fgeneratorshown inFigs. 1 and 2, showing the 15 relation of Vpart of the interferencemechanism. constituting one feature of this invention;

Fig. 4 is `an elevational view, partly in section, of a detail .of thegeneratonshowing the relation of the feed-valvev operating mechanism to'the 20 carbide hopper;

Fig. 5 is a-detail vsectional view of the charging door and interferencemechanism therefor;

.Fig. 6 is a detail view of a portion of the interference mechanism; and

Fig. 7 isa detail elevational view, partly in section,.ofthesplash-preventing baiiie.

Referring to the drawings, `the acetylene generator, as shown, comprisesa tank T adapted to contain water in its lower portion and to form 30 anacetylene-:collecting chamber in its upper portion; and a dome D `boltedand hinged to the top of the tank T,-and constructed to house a carbidehopper H, a hydraulic back-pressure valve V, an automaticpressure-controlled feed-valve operat- 35 ing mechanism A, and amanually operable feedvalve operating device M. The arrangement andconstruction of the .dome D `and the devices secured therein is suchthat, by swinging the dome about the hinge connecting it to the tank T,such 40 devices willbe readily accessible for cleaning, replacing,adjusting, or repairing, as shown by Fig. .2. .Y

The automatic feed-valve operating device A isl secured to the .carbide`outlet casting of the hopper H and supports an .operating lever for apoppet valve -P which is adapted to close the hopper outlet. Pressurewithin the tank T acts upon a diaphragm of the mechanism A forcontrolling the'position of the poppet valve P. The 50 manually operabledevice Mis located in such position relative to the mechanism A and theoperating lever for valve P that it may lock said valve in closedposition and .also limit the opening thereof during the initial stage ofacetylene gener- 51|;k

mechanism.

The tank 'I' comprises a shell I l) having an open top, a closed bottom,and a foot-ring flange I`I welded to the outside of the latter. :Anannular l shoulder plate I2 provided disposed flange I3 is welded theshell I 0.

with a horizontally to the open vtop of The tank Tis further providedwith a carbide residue outlet valve I4, an overflow valve I5, andafilling tube I6 which projects through the plate I2; and the-tube valveI'I and a funnel I'I. A residue agitator I8 is located near the bottomof the tank T and is securedto a rod I9 which `extends through a stuiingbox in the plate I2 to a point outside of the tank T,-whereit is bent toprovide a handle 20 for turning the rod and oscillating thel agitator.The valve I'I andthe funnelI'I, as well as the handle 20, are disposedwithin the cylindrical'outline'of the tank T, where they are less aptltobe damaged. The tank also has a handhole, closed by a coverplate T;located ldirectly opposite the hopper outlet, to permit easy accesstothe carbide feed valve and-adjoining parts without removing-the dome D.

The dome D comprises an inverted cup-shaped shell 2 I,vthe internaldiameter of which conforms with the-inner diameter of ythe plateV I2.Ahorirontally` disposed -ange 22 is formed on the lower edge ofthe domeD, so that the latter may be bolted to the ange I3, a gasket 23 beingclamped between these flanges to vform a'seal between the tank T and thedome. The dome `D and the tank T may be separated by removing theclamping bolts about the-flanges I3 and 22, but complete removal of domeD from the tank T is not necessary, since they are connected vby a hinge24 whereby the dome may beswung vfully open and so that a lug 24 on thehinge engages'the plate I2 andsupports the dome with'vthe partsthereinaccessible for inspection or repairs i 'The hopper `H comprisesasheet-metal shell 25 having a conical upper end rigidly secured' to acharging door iiange 26 welded within an' opening in the top of the domeD. The lower conical end of the hopper H is provided with a carbide feedoutlet 2l. For the purpose of cutting packed .calcium carbide that mayAform-a bridge across the outletv 21, a `cutter assembly -28 is providedwithin the hopper H. The cutter assembly forms no part of the presentinvention, being covered in a co-pending application of Robert VJ. Kehl,Serial lNo. 34,502, filed August3,1935.

Referring 'to Fig. 4, the hopper outlet 27A has a compressible valveseat29, heldin registrywith the outlet by an annular metallic plate 39 and aspring ring 3|. The internal diameters of the annular plate 30 and thering 3I are greater than thatk of the seat 29, so that the' valve Pandits seat may form an effective seal between `the hop- -per H and thetank T. Exact alignment of the valve P with the seat-29 is maintained atall times because the outlet `2'! is rigidly attached to the-'mechanismA by a-flange 32 and the valve P is supported-by a lever 33 pivotallymounted on the bottom of the mechanism A.- if The mechanism A comprisesavpressure-sensi- -tive device .adapted -tolcontrer the- `operation ofI6 has a filling4 the valve P in accordance with a predetermined on theside of diaphragm 34 that is subject t0 pressure fluctuations within thegenerator. A threaded shaft; 4.9 extends through an opening in, andcooperates with, a plate 4I to vary the degree of compression of thespring 36. A stationary rod 42 slidingly passes through an aperturevinplate 4I and prevents the same from rotating when the threaded shaft 49is turned. The `upper extremity of the threaded shaft extends throughabushing 43 which Vis fastened within an opening in the dome D. Ahand-wheel 44 is secured to the extended end of the shaft 4IIv and maybe rotated to adjust the pressure of the spring 36. A housing 45 ofsheet metal has its-top portion welded to the bushing 43A and the bottomthereof welded to the uppermost annular ring 35,y

thereby enclosing the operating structure ofthe mechanism A' andeffecting a rigid support for the Same, j .i

Automatic control `of the valve Pby the mechanism A is accomplished `bypivotally connecting ther lever 33, to a' yoke1 4B Wel-ded or otherwisefastened to, and depending from,'.the lower annular ring 35. The lever33 and the diaphragm 34 4may be connected by .providing a stud 41 onplate 39, towhich is pivoted a link48 extending within a slot 49 in thelever 33 and fastened to said leverl by a pinned connection. This pinnedconnection includes an elongated slot 50 through which the pin isadapted to pass, its function being hereinafter described. The lostmotion of this connection is taken up by a compression springEIencircling the .stud 4l andthe upper portion oflink-48-. IOne end ofthespring 5I abuts against the plate 39 andthe other end rests on the yokeforming slot 49 of lever 33 and encircles the link 48. .f

, A `manual feed-valve yoperating device M is provided for locking thevalve P in closedposition, and to limit its opening during. initial gasgeneration so, that a much smaller quantity of carbide will ow tothetank T than when said valve is fully opened. f The v device M comprisesan element such as an arm 53 supported in position relative to thelever33 so thatit may slide along land cooperate with a cam surface 54formed on the underedgeof'lever 33. The arm 53 and the cam surface 54inone position .cooperate to lock the valve P in closed position, andthey permit openingof valveP'I alimited amount less than the maximumopening of said valve when they are moved to another relative position.The arm 53 may be operated by a rodl 55 extending from the outside ofdome D'through a stuling box 56 downwardly to a point adjacent the lever33 wherefthe arm 53 lisrigidly securedto'such rod.

' The spring 5I between the diaphragm plate 39 and lever 33maintain'sthe Vca m surface 54 in engagement withy thearm 53 'while they are incooperative position. The spring 5I also provides meansforef'ectingpositive opening of. the valve P in the'event -itsticksinclosed position rwhen the arm 53 is` niovedtward'stop 58. The lost,

lost-'motion connection forms part'of the sub-V ject-matter of acopending application of Maurice Ppe Motte, SverialsNo. 154,159, filedJuly 1'1, 1937.

Feed valve P may be locked in closed position by turning rod 55 sothatarm 53 engages stop51; thus insuring the positive closing of saidvalve during periods of shut-down or during transportation of thecharged generator..` When it is desired to continue generation of.acetylene, feeding of calcium carbide to the water within tank T may belcontrolled and limited to a relatively low rate by oscillating arm 53between its lock and an intermediate position. When sufficient pressurehas been established Within the generator so that mechanism A willcontrol the opening and closing of the valve P, manually-operable arm 53may be rendered ineffective by turning rod 55 to the `feeding position.This is possible because arm 53 will clear the stop 58 when the valve Pis held in closed position by the mechanism A.

Acetylene gas generated within the generator is 'withdrawn through ahydraulic back-pressure valve V, a filtering device F, and thence to aservice valve V'. (See Fig. 1.) The valve V is positioned within thedome D in xed relation with the hopper H and the mechanism A, andcomprises an outer cylindrical shell 59 closed at the bottom andprovided with a gas-conducting pipe 50 which 'extends longitudinallywithin the shell 59 to a point spaced from the top thereof and has acheck valve 'Bl at its lower inlet end cornmu'nicating with the gascollecting chamber in tank T. The upper end of the shell 59 yhas aflange which rests `upon a 'an'ge 62 of thedome D. A cover plate 63 isbolted to the respective flanges, thus providing a construction whichwill 'permit access to a` filter F, tov be described 'more in 'detailbelow, and the back-pressure valve V by simply removing the cover plate53.

The back-pressure valve V is further provided 'with an inner cylindricalshell El! having a closed top and open bottom. The shell 64 ispositioned over'the pipe 6U so that its closed t'op end is spacedslightly 'from the open end of said pipe. A series of helically arrangedbaflles 55 is positioned between the inner and outer shells S and 59 forlproviding `a circutous path through which the g'a's must travel inpassing through the backpressure valve V. A water level plug 66 and awater drain plug 56 are provided in the side of 'the shell 5 9 andeiitend through the wall of dome D for supplying 'water to, and draining'it `from the valve V. Near the upper end of the shell 59, a filter F isprovided for removing impurities, suchas solid particles, from thegenerated gas as it passes through the valve V. The filter F comprisesone or more pads 61 of matted horsehair, or the like, supportedbetweenscreens 68. An exit from the valve V leading to the service valve V yisprovided in the upper portion 'of-shell 59 above the lter F. Forrelieving eX- "cessive pressures which may develop within the generator,an automatically operating pressurerelief valve 69 is connected to theshell 59 at a pointbelow` the filter `F. s ilcetylen'e, under pressurewithin the generator, will force the swing check-valve 5l open, nflowupward 'through pipe 60, downwardwithin the space formed by the innershell 64 and the `pipe 60, through the water in the lower portion of thevalve V, upward within the space between 'the outer-shell 59 and theinnershell 64, throughthe filter F and thence to the service valve V.

In order to impede or prevent the splashing of water within tankl T ontothe feed valve mechanismduring transportation of the generator from onejob to another in field-work, a splash-preventing device S has beenprovided; see Figs. l

`and '7. This device comprises a sheet metal cylindrical baiile 1lihaving a flange at its upper end clamped between the flanges 22 and I3of the domev D and the tank T respectively. The lower end of the baffle1U extends to a point below the water level in the tank T and isprovided with a plurality of criss-cross baies 1l formed by sheet metalplates welded in vertical position to the inner wall of the baille 1li,and to each other at their abutting corners.l The baiiies 1! divide thewater directly below the carbide `feed valve into relatively smalllaterally confined volumes. The baffle has a number of openings 12through its wall at a point slightly above the water levelV in the tankT to permit the acetylene generated Within the baffle 19 to pass outinto the gas-collecting chamber of the tank T. In order to accommodatethe diaphragm 35, its supporting rings 35, and the lever 33, an opening13 is provided in the wall of the baffle 19. Likewise, an aperture 13 isprovided in the wall of baffle 10 in alignment withthe handhole coverT', in order to permit access through the handhole to the feed valveoperating mechanism. A horizontal bale plate'14 is secured to the baffle19 just below the opening 13 and to the inner wall of the tank T, and isprovided with upwardly extending walls 15, rigidly secured to the baie16 just beyond the sides of the opening 13, and also to the inner'wallof, the tank T. vThe bale construction described prevents water withintank T from splashing onto the valve Pand its operating mechanismthrough the opening 13; and the criss-cross baflies 1i and the shell 1i!maintain the water in a state of relative quiescence.

In order to insure a definite sequence of steps in recharging thegenerator so that injury to the operator or damage to the generator willnot occur due to the accumulation of the acetylene therein, interferencemechanism has been provided which is adapted to cooperate with thecarbide-feed mechanism, the charging door, and the pressure relief valve65. In the present ernbodiment of the invention, as best shown in Figs.3\ and 5, a charging door 15 'is adapted to be clamped in sealedrelation with the charging- 'door flange 26 by a lever 11 extending overthe door 16 and pivoted at one end on a boss-"it by a pin 19.4 Thecentral portion of lever 11 is provided with an adjustable screw 89adapted to supp'ort the door 16 so that it may bepressed into 'sealedengagement with the flange 25. The other end of lever 11 has a forkedportion 3l to re- 'ceive and cooperate with a fastening means includinga pivoted bolt B2 which supports a wingnut 83. The end of lever 11adjacentv the pin 19 is provided with a notch 84 adapted to cooperatewith mechanism tobe described.

For the purpose of preventing the opening of the charging door 16 whenthe generator contains acetylene under pressure, and at times other thanwhen the valve Pis locked in closed position, the notch 84 in lever l11is adapted to cooperate with a lug l85 integral with anv interferenceshaft 86.

ilo

This interference shaft which is rockably mounted 'm the extended legsof boss 18, is provided at one end with a handle 81 and at its othergendwith a yoke 88, see Figs. 6. `When thehandle 81 is in a verticalposition as vshown in lig.` 3, lug `85 coacts with the notch 84 andprevents opening of the charging door 16. Movement of handle 81 to ahorizontal position releases the door 16, but this movement iscontrolled bythe position of an oscillatable feed handle 89 which isconnected to the feed-valve control-mechanism M. This feed handle isprovided with an interference disc 90 adapted to be positioned betweenthe legs, of

yoke 8'8 when the handle is in. its feed position. The disk 99, however,does not interfere with the movement of the yoke 88 when the feed handle89 is in its closed position, as shown in Fig. 3.

The feed handle is further provided with an arm 9I having a holetherein. When the feed handle is in closed position, this hole and theslot between the legs` of the yoke 88 are aligned so thata padlock 9Imay be used to lock the same in positionby passing the hasp of vthepadlock through the hole and around one of the legs of the yoke, thuspreventing unauthorized operation of the feeding mechanism M. l

In order to insure release of any accumulated acetylene within thegenerator prior to the opening of the charging door 16, movement of theinterference handle 81 from a vertical to a horizontal position islinked with the operation of the relief valve 69 by providing anangularly related arm 92 integral with the yoke 88. The free end of arm92 is connected to one end of an S-shaped link 93, and the other end ofthe link 93 is connected to a rockable arm 94 mounted on an operatingshaft of the relief valve 69. Upon movement of interference handle 81from the vertical to the horizontal position, movement of link 93 willcause the opening of the relief valve 69.

Additional interference mechanism has been provided in order to preventthe over-filling of tank T with water. This interference mechanism hasbeen designed to makeit impossible to open the filling valve I1, seeFig. 1, until the overflow valve I has been opened. To this end, thefilling valve I1 is provided with a relatively long operating lever 95which extends downwardly along the outside of the tank T. The overflowvalve I5 is provided with a relatively long operating lever 96 whichextends upwardly along the outside of tank T, and it is positionedoutwardly of, and in overlapping aligned relation with the lever 95.This arrangement makes it necessary to withdraw lever 96, therebyopening the overow valve I5, before lever 95 can be moved to a positionwhich will open the filling valve I 1.

The generator to which the principles of this invention have beenapplied, may be either an out-door portable or an in-door stationaryunit, and the structure thus far described may be converted into anin-door acetylene generator by providing means for insuring the ventingof released acetylene to the atmosphere outside of the buildingv inwhich the generator is to be located. This may be accomplish-ed byproviding a generator vent-pipe 91 connected to the overow valve I5 byaT-connection 98 intermediate the ends of said vent-pipe. The lower endof the vent-pipe 91 is provided with an open-top trap 99 having anoutlet I 99 through which water from tank T may drain to a sewer.Another ventpipe` IOI is connected to the outlet relief valve 69,

and it andthe vent-pipe 91 extend outside the building in which thegenerator is installed.

- In the event that the diaphragm 34 develops a` leak, provision is madeto prevent this leakage Vfrom escaping into the room in which thegenerator is located. In the embodiment disclosed, a vent-tube |92,which extends through a sepa rable union |03 located in the *side wallof the dome D, communicates with the vent-tube 91 at the T 98 and withthe space in the housingof the mechanism A that contains the spring 36,to instantly vent gas which may leak through the diaphragm 34.

Although the various features of the improved generator have been shownand described in detail to fully disclose one embodiment of thisinvention, it will be evident that numerous changes may be made in suchdetails and certainfeatures may be used without others, withoutdeparting from the principles of the' invention.

We claim:

1. An acetylene generator comprising a` tank adapted to contain water inits lower portion and to form a gas collecting chamber in its upperportion; a hopper mounted on said tank, said hopper being adapted tocontain calcium carbide, and provided with a carbide outlet; a carbidefeed valve mounted in operative relation to said outlet; meansresponsive to a predetermined pressure within said generator forcontrolling the opening of said valve and the iiow of carbide from saidhopper to the water within said tank; 'and separate mechanical means forcontrolling the feed of carbide from said hopper to said water beforesaid predetermined pressure has been established within said generator,includingmeans for preventing the complete opening of said feed valveuntil a predetermined pressure has been established in said gascollecting chamber.

2. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 1, whereinv saidpressure-responsive means is adapted to control the operation of saidvalve, and its housing is adapted to maintain said valv and hopperoutlet in aligned relation.

3. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim l, wherein said separatemeans comprises a manually operable element adapted to cooperate with acam surface associated with said valve.

4. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim l, wherein said separatemeans comprises a manually oscillatable arm adapted to lock said valvein closed position at one point of its travel, to permit partial openingof said valve at another point of its travel but preventing completeopening of said valve until said predetermined pressure has beenestablished in said gas collecting chamber.

5. An acetylene generator comprising a tank adapted to contain water inits lower portion and to form a gas collecting chamber in its upperportion; a carbide hopper having an outlet adapted to be opened andclosed by a valve; means responsive to a predetermined pressure Withinsaid generator for controlling the opening and closing of said valve;separate means for controlling the opening and closing of said valve butpreventing complete opening of said valve until said predeterminedpressure has been established within said generator, the constructionand arrangement being such that, when said predetermined pressure hasbeen established within said generator, said separate means may?` bemoved to an ineifective position.

6. vAn acetylene generator comprising a tank adapted to contain water inits lower portion and raneafavv iform afgas :collecting chamber Yirrfits:upper port-ionyacarbide hoppenhavingfanoutlet adaptfresponsive to la4predetermined ipressure within `gtrollingwthe-,openingcand closing ofsaid'valve before vsaid fpredetermined ,z pressure :has been festablished within said generator, said cseparate means #comprising Tanf'armfadapted to cooperate with'afcam 'surfaceaissoci'ated with saidvalve, and stopsaareiprovidedflat ythe extremities of said ycam surface,one of which is so located and of such height that it will not interferewith said arm when said valve is held in closed position by saidpressure-controlled means.

'7. An vacetylene generator comprising a tank adapted to contain waterin its lower portion and to form a gas collecting chamber in its upperportion; a hopper provided with an outlet opening into said chamber anda feed valve controlling said outlet; water outlet means operable toestablish a normal water level in said tank; means, located within saidchamber for opening and closing said valve; and a housing for impedingwater within said tank from splashing against said hopper outlet, saidvalve and said valveoperating mechanism, when the generator is movedfrom one place to another, said housing being provided with meansextending below said level established by said water outlet means fordividing the water directly below said valve into relatively smalllaterally confined volumes and to retain the water in a state ofrelative quiescence.

8. An acetylene generator comprising a tank adapted to contain water inits lower portion and `to form a gas-collecting chamber in its upperportion; a hopper provided with an outlet opening into said chamber anda feed valve controlling said outlet; means, located within said chamberfor opening and closing said Valve; and means for impeding water withinsaid tank from splashing against said outlet, said valve and saidvalve-operating mechanism, when the generator is moved from one place toanother, said splashimpeding means comprising a housing surrounding saidvalve and said valve-operating mechanism, and which extends to a pointbelow the surface of the water, the interior of said housing below thesurface of the water being provided with baffles adapted to retain thewater directly below said valve and said valve-operating mechanism in astate of relative quiescence.

9. An acetylene generator comprising a lower portion adapted to containwater and to form a gas-collecting chamber above said water; an upperportion adapted to contain a carbide hopper having a charging door and acarbide outlet; a carbide feed valve mounted in operative relation tothe outlet of said hopper; `means responsive to a predetermined pressurewithin said generator for controlling said valve to regulate the flow ofcarbide from said hopper, through said outlet to the water within saidtank; additional means for manually controlling the opening of saidvalve y and the feed of carbide from said hopper to said `waterincluding means for preventing the maximum opening of said carbide feedvalve before said predetermined pressure has been established withinsaid generator, said last-mentioned means including an oscillatablehandle on the exterior of said generator and adjacent to said chargingdoor; and mechanism connected to said charging door and cooperating withsaid manual control means for preventing the opening of said chargingdoor when said handle is positioned to allow said feed valve' to openunder kthe influence vofreither of said control means.

i10. An acetylene' generator "comprising a 4'tank AVadapted tocontainwater in itslowerp'ortion" and ,l tOiOrm'a'gaS-collecting chamberin its upper por-iy 1 ition; alzhopper provided 'with anv outlet-`opening fintosaid chamber and a'feed valve'controlling`='saidoutlet;rn-cans, located 'within said chamber ffor'openin'g andclosingisaidvalve; water'outlet ymeans* operable to establishl"anc'armal =water levelf `in rsaid tank; fand 'a i housingv for-imp'eding water within said tank Afrom ksplashing against saidvalvefandf said valve-"operating mechanism, `when the generator is movedfrom one place t0 another, said housing extending a substantial distancebelow said level established by said water outlet means in said tank andbeing provided with gas passage openings therein at a point immediatelyadjacent to and extending a relatively short distance above said waterlevel.

1l. An acetylene generator comprising a tank adapted to contain water inits lower portion and toform a gas-collecting chamber in its upperportion; a carbide hopper within said generator provided with a feedvalve for feeding carbide to the water in said tank and an externallydisposed charging door; a pivoted lever arranged to hold said doorclosed; means including an oscillatable handle mounted on said generatoradjacent of said charging door for opening and locking said feed valvein closed position; a rockable interference shaft device having aportion associ-Y ated with said lever to prevent the opening of saiddoor in one position of said shaft; and an oscillatable disc connectedto said valve locking means adapted to cooperate with another portion ofsaid interference shaft device when in said position to interfere withsaid lever for preventing the opening of said charging doorwhen saidfeed valve is open, said other portion of said interference shaft devicebeing arranged to interfere with said disc when said device is in theposition of its rockable travel that allows the opening of said chargingdoor to prevent movement of said handle when said charging door isopenable.

12. An acetylene generator comprising a tank adapted to contain water inits lower portion and to form a gas-collecting chamber in its upperportion; a carbide hopper provided with a feed valve for feeding carbidetherefrom to the water in said tank and an external charging door; apivoted lever arranged to clamp said door closed; means including anoscillatable handle adjacent to said door operable to open and to locksaid feed valve in closed position; a pressure Yrelief valve associatedwith said gas-collecting chamber and having a valve opening means; arockable interference shaft device having a portion engaging said leverin one position of said shaft to prevent opening of said door; anoscillatable disc connected to said valve locking means adapted tointerfere with another portion of said interference shaft device when inengagement with said lever for preventing the opening of said door. whensaid feed valve is open, said other portion of said interference shaftdevice being arranged to interfere with said disc when said device is inthe position disengaging said lever to prevent movement of said handlewhen said charging door is openable; and means connecting said re-fValve for feeding carbide therefrom to the Water i in said tank and anexternal charging door; a

pivoted lever arranged to clamp said door closed;

. means including an oscillatable handle adjacent to said door operableto open and to lock said feed valve in closed position; a rockableinterference shaft device having a portion engaging said lever inoneposition of said shaft to prevent opening of said door; a yoke disposedat one end of said shaft; and an oscillatable disc connected tosaid'valve locking means adapted to pass belever when said valve lockingmeans is in the open position, said disc and yoke being arranged 1" toprevent movement of said valve locking device away from its valvelocking position when said v shaft is disengaged from said lever andsaid door is openable.`

i MAURICE P. DE MOTTE. *10)

